Theo-Chipkin

Clifford the Big Red Dog, who curiously is a Labrador retriever when he could so easily have been golden, has been entertaining children since he burst on the scene in 1963 ( a scant 385 dog years ago)

In short, the entire doggy bag concept seemed like a refund of a bill never paid (not that we ever paid bills) and we came to accept it much as we would a welcome pat on the head just for being, well us.

This year Team Fluff defended its title against Team Ruff (they certainly weren't competing for most creative name) and walked off (not that there's anything wrong with that) with the much coveted Lombarky Trophy by simply moving dog toys across any particular end zone they pleased.

Three former presidents of the United States were born in the Year of the Dog including Bill Clinton, George W. Bush and you know who; along with Mother Theresa, Benjamin Franklin, Elvis Presley, Michael Jackson Justin Bieber and Madonna, which proves only that people, like dogs, are a mixed breed.

After examining the brains of a variety of cats, ferrets, mongooses (or is that mongeese) raccoons, lions and -- get this-- golden retrievers (I'm afraid to ask how) she reported her completely unstartling conclusion that a) dogs were smarter than cats and b) that golden retrievers were smarter than striped hyenas.

Dog park top dog Bill Couzelis has long noticed that many of the park's patrons, would like to stay at the park beyond sunset, especially during the winter months when darkness descends just about the time many folks are getting home from work and just about the time when many of the dogs are just getting started to have fun.

What I was really worried about were the reports from anecdotal evidence and a few scientific studies that suggested the eclipse might make those of us in the animal kingdom go temporarily, -- how shall I say this -- nuts.

Dogs are natural paraders. Bring one to the park and watch traffic stop and children's eyes light up as we strut about investigating every twig and branch and await some amiable petting from our adoring public.